Control valve



Feb. 15, 1949. E, OR 2,461,982

CONTROL VALVE Filed June 26, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ifzzrc'ard Efl'ar/Ze.

I BY 7495 B. E. HORNE CONTROL VALVE Feb. 15, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1945 a m W23 I m y Patented Feb. 15, 1949 CONTROL VALVE Burchard E. Home, Lawrence, Mass., assignor to I Watts Regulator Company, Lawrence, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 26, 1945, Serial N0. 601,563

4 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a temperature and pressure relief control used for preventing the over-heating of hot water supply systems in homes, industrial establishments, barracks, etc.

It is generally my purpose to make a temperature and pressure relief control which affords protection against excessive pressure, as well as excessive temperature in a hot water supply 2 This second valve structure is mounted in the unitary body.

system or tank. Excessive pressure in such a tank or system is dangerous and may result in tank breakage or bursting. Excessive temperature, however, is even more dangerous and will usually result in a serious explosion. In-either event, capacity of the relief valve must be adequate to handle a greater relief than the input capacity of the heater. Possible causes for excessive pressure or temperature are well known and need not be dwelt upon here.

It is a further purpose to provide such a control having a pilot valve mechanism, which mechanism is mounted in the unit body and includes a temperature sensitive pilot. The pilot valve mechanism has important features of structure which make possible the easy replacement of the pilot valve mechanism without breaking the main line connection, and with a maximum of convenience.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement whereby the pilot valve mechanism, including a temperature sensitive bulb, is thoroughly protected and free from sedimentation.

Another object is to provide a pilot valve arrangement actuated by high pressure as well as high temperature.

Another object is to provide a diaphragm and spring-seated valve, subject to direct pressure from the tank to permit high volume discharge of hot water, and also subject to operation by pressure when the pilot valve is open on account of either high pressure or high temperature.

It is my purpose to provide a structure for the second valve mounting which permits its easy removal and replacement without a break in the main line connection.

It is also my purpose to provide in the second valve structure means for preventing spinning of the valve disk and to provide means for the resealing of the valve disk in the same spot each time.

A further object is to provide a readily removable valve seat for the second valve.

Still a further object is to provide such a unitary body particularly adapted for use with a fusible plug, and to provide in some instances such a fusible plug as a part of the structure.

With these and other objects'in view, my invenand combination of the various parts of my con- .trol valve whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a conventional hot water supply system with my invention applied to it.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a temperature and pressure relief control embodying my invention.

Figure 3 is a top-or plan view of the control.

Figure 4 is a, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2, illustrating the removable seat for the second valve and valve guide member.

Figure 5 is a horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 illustrating the. valve seat yoke with a pilot valve and the pilot valve disk guide.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the diaphragm yoke for the second valve, and

Figure '7 is a. vertical sectional view illustrating a slightly modified form of the unit body with a, safety fuse plug structure mounted thereon.

In Figure 1 I have shown a hot water tank to,

having a cold water inlet pipe I! and a hot water and8,-andmadeofa connected to the hot water outlet I4 and thus a conventional water heater 22.

any temperature and pressure relief valve has a unitary body indicated generally at 24 in Figs. 2 single casting or the like. The body 24 has a projecting ported member 28 which may have a screw threaded end 28 screwed into a coupling 84- adaptedto be tappedinto a wallofthetankil. Thebody24ishollowand hasapartitionfl extendingacrossit.

Connected with the partition 82 is a partition 84 forming one end and a bottom of a chamber 88. The body 24 has another chamber 88 communicating with the passage 48 through the posted member 28.

Pilot valve assembly The partition 82 has an opening 42. A pilot valve seat '48 is formed on a valve seat yoke 44 which is screwed into the opening 42 and has a tubular extension 48 projecting down into the .chamber 88. The extension 48 is provided with guide 88.

In the body 24 above the partition 82 is a chamber 82. Screwed into the body 24 above the chamber 82 and above the valve seat yoke 44 is a coupling 84. Into the end of the coupling 84 is screwed a tubular spring cage 86 forming part of the pilot valve assembly. This spring cage 48 has a reduced tubular upward extension 88 externally and internally threaded.

A tubular member I8 has threaded connection with the outer screw threads of the extension 88 and projects above it. In the member III near its upper end is an annular shoulder 12 on which is seated a packing ring 14 above which is a packing gland I8 screwed into the member I8.

A hollow adjusting screw I8 has threaded connection with the internal threads of the extension 88 and extends above and below that extension.

A stem 88 extends through the gland I8 and the spring cage 88 and the coupling 84. The lower end of the stem 88 is threaded to the pilot valve disk holder 82 in the underface of which is seated the pilot valve disk 84 for cooperation with the seat 48. A disk guide 88 is loosely mounted in the valve seat yoke 44 and has a cylindrical extension 88 extended through the disk valve 84 and threaded into the pilot valve disk holder 82. The disk guide 88 has a downwardly projecting tubular portion 81 which loosely receives the guide member 88 on top of the bellows 88 and against which the bellows bears when expanded.

Loosely mounted on the stem 80 below the adjusting screw I8 is a spring seat 88. On the stem III between the spring seat 88 and the pilot valve disk holder 82 is a coil spring 88 which tends to yieldingly hold the pilot valve disk 84 against the seat 43.

thetopoftheta'nk. Thepipesl8and llare. respectively connectedtothe bottomandtopof discharge valve which is subject to pressure from the tank, and also iunctlons in cooperation with the pilot valve heretofore'described.

In the partition 84 is a valve opening-82. Into the opening 82 is threaded a valve seat yoke 84 on which is formed a valve seat 88.

One of the important features of my prwent invention is the unit assembly of the valve which cooperates with this seat and the diaphragm and diaphragm yoke now to be described. 8

The body 24 has a relatively large opening 88 which may, for convenience, be called a diaphragm opening. The valve and diaphragm assembly mentioned is received in the chamber 88 heretofore mentioned, below a spring cage III which is arranged above the diaphragm opening 88 and secured to the body 24 by cap screws I82.

A flexible diaphragm I'M has its peripheral edge gripped between the spring cage Ill and the body 24. On the underside of the diaphragm A diaphragm yoke I I8 is seated on partition 22'- and closes the opening I28 in that partition. The diaphragm yoke I I8 and the diaphragm form an enclosed chamber II8. Thediaphragm yoke has openings I2I by which the chamber I I8 communicates with the chamber 82.

The diaphragm yoke I I8 has a flange I22 seated on the body 24 below the diaphragm I84 and held firmly in place by the cap screws I02 which extend through the flange I24 on the spring cage I00 as well as through the diaphragm I84 and the flange I22 and are screwed into the body 24. It will of course be understood that proper gaskets are provided wherever necessary in the control.

The lift rod valve stem '4 extends loosely through an opening I28 in the diaphragm yoke II8 so as to permit leakage and yet be properly guided with some p1ay.. The lower end of the stem I I4 has a screw-threaded opening I28 which receives the shank of a headed lift rod stem screw I88. A lower lift rod stem nut I82 receives the head of the screw I88, as shown in Fig. 2, and has a threaded connection with the high volume pressure discharge valve disk holder I34. In the underside of the disk holder I84 is received the valve disk I88 which cooperates with the seat 88. The disk holder I34 has a central downwardly extending internally threaded hollow tubular extension I88. The disk guide I48 has a threaded reduced upward extension I42 threaded into the extension I88, and is loosely slidable in the valve seat yoke 84.

As shown in Fig. 4, the opening through the seat 96 and valve seat yoke 84 indicated at I44, is preferably round and the disk guide I48 is plural-sided so that the guide may perform its proper function as a guide and permit free flow of fluid. The guide I48 has the flange I48 to receive a wrench. The body 24 has a port I48 communicating with the chamber 88 and adapted to be connected with a drain pipe.

Normal adjustable closing pressure on the valve disk I36 is maintained by means of a coil spring I60 seated on the upper diaphragm plate III. On the upper end of the spring I60 is a spring seat I52. An adjusting screw I54 is threaded through the spring cage I and bears on the seat I52 for adjusting the tension of the spring I50. A lock nut I56 may be provided on the screw I54.

Pivoted to the end of the stem 80 which projects above the packing gland 16 is a-lever handle I58, having on one end a cam I60 whereby when the lever handle I58 is moved to one position, the cam I60 will bear against the packing gland 16 and open the valve 64. The valve 84 can thus be manually controlled for maintaining it in open position when desired.

In Fig. 7 is shown a vertical, sectional view through a modified form oi. my control illustrating the manner in which a fusible plug may be used with the control. H

The body 24a indicated in Fig. 7 is formed with a hollow projecting member I62 into which is screwed a plug I84 having a shoulder I66 seated against a shoulder I68 on the interior of the member I62. The plug I64 has a passage I communicating with a port I12 in the member I62 and with the interior of the body 24a. The inner end of the passage I10 receives and encloses a fusible member I14.

Practical operation The pilot valve disk 84 is subject to actuation by high temperature and also by high pressure in the tank III. The pressure in the tank tends to lift the valve disk 84 oil its seat. This tendency is opposed-by the tension of the spring 88. That tension may be regulated by adjusting the screw 18 after removing the tubular member 10.

The valve disk 84 is also subject to operation by reason of high temperature in the tank. The bellows 56 with its extension 58 is very sensitive to temperature. Upon rise in temperature the bellows 56 expands and bears against the extension 81 of the disk guide 83. Whenever the temperature in or pressure from the tank exceeds the value for which the spring 68 is set, the valve 84 rises, allowing water to flow out of the tank into the chamber 62.

As shown in Fig. 5 the disk guide 83 is 'of such shape as to allow flow of water past it through the valve seat yoke 44. The water flows through the openings I2I into the chamber H9 and the pressure of the water then raises the diaphragm I04 against the tension of the spring I50 and the valve I36 is raised to allow free flow of water from the tank.

The lift rod valve stem II 4 has suflicient play where it passes through the diaphragm yoke I I8 to allow water in the chamber II9 to flow into chamber 36 and out through the port I48 when the valves 64 and I36 are again seated.

As the hot water flows off, cold water comes into the tank for cooling the tank. The temperature at which the thermostatic bellows 56 opens the valve 84 can be determined by methods known to the art as by selecting the substance used in filling the bellows and its extension, and by adjustment of the tension of the spring 88.

The valve I36 is also subject to pressure from the tank. Thus, in addition to allowing free flow of water when the pilot valve is operated, it affords an additional safety means for permitting the tank to be relieved in case the pressure becomes too great or in case the pilot valve shouldior any reason tail to operate.

It will of course be understood that the ten- A very important advantage of my improved.

control lies in the construction whereby the single unit body can be mounted on the tank at one place only. This makes for convenience in installation and is very important. By mounting all the operating mechanism in a single body, the parts are readily and easily held in their proper relationship. 3

Another important advantage is found in the pilot valve assembly. It will be noted that the parts are so proportioned and the openings so sized that the various working parts can be quickly and easily removed for purposes of repair and replacement. For example, by removing the tubular member 10 access is given to the adjusting screw 18 for either adjusting it or replacing it. By screwing off the spring cage 66 and coupling 64, the entire interior assembly can be removed for replacing or repairing the disk 84, or the thermostatic bellows 56. All this can be done without breaking the main connection with the tank or the drain pipe.

Another important advantage is found in the construction of the diaphragm yoke, diaphragm and valve disk I38. Before assembling these parts in the body 24, they can be assembled together. This whole assembly can be quickly and easily removed by taking out the cap screws I02 and removing the spring cage I00. It will be noted that when this is done, access can be had to the valve seat yoke 94 for removing and repairing or replacing the valve seat, and all parts of the assembly mentioned, including the diaphragm, diaphragm yoke, diaphragm plates, lift rod, valve stem H4 and the parts connected with and extending below it, will then be readily accessible.

The size of the opening I20 and the sizeof the opening 98 are such as to permit the entire assembly to be simply lifted out of the body 24. This can be done without removing the body 24 from the tank or disconnecting it from the drain pipe.

I have described my control in a form in which it may be practically embodied and in which it has been built, but it is my purpose to avoid limitations to details of structure and to cover by my claims any modifications in the parts and their arrangement which may be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of my invention and my claims.

I claim:

1. In a control of the kind described, a unit body having a ported portion for a single connection with a tank and a port for connection with a pipe and a chamber communicating with the ported portion and a second chamber communicating with the second port, having a valve opening between the first chamber and second chamber, and having a third chamber with a valve opening communicating with the, first chamber and with an opening into the second chamber and a. diaphragm receiving opening, a valve seat removably mounted in the opening between the third and'flrst chambers, formed with a tubular extension projecting into the first amuse chamber having an opening in its wall near the valve seat proper and an opening in its wall ad- Jacent its end farthest from the valve seat proper, a removable closure in said last-named end of the tubular extension, a thermostatic bellows in said tubular extension seated on said closure and provided with a reduced tubular extension extending through the closure and the first-named ported portion of the body, a valve to cooperate with said seat, a guide extending from the valve through the valve seat, adapted to cooperate with the bellows, said body having, aligned with the opening between the first and third chambers, an opening large enough for the passage of the valve seat and valve and bellows, a spring cage removably mounted on the body in said lastdescribed opening, a spring in said cage for biasing said valve toward closed position, means for varying the tension on said spring, a valve for controlling fiow from the first to the second chamber sensitive to,and opened by pressure in the first chamber, means for closing the opening between the second and third chambers having bleeder means for allowing limited flow from the third to the second chamber, and a diaphragm for closing said diaphragm receiving opening, operatively connected with the second valve and subject to pressure in the third chamber, said diaphragm being adapted to open said second valve upon predetermined pressure in said third chamber.

2. In a control of the kind described, a unit body having a ported portion for a single connection with a tank and a port for connection with a pipe and a chamber communicating with the ported portion and a second chamber communicating with the second port, having a valve opening between the first chamber and second chamber, and having a third chamber with a valve opening communicating with the first chamber and with an opening into the second chamber and a diaphragm receiving opening, a valve seat removably mounted in the opening between the third and first chambers, formed with a tubular extension projecting into the first chamber having an opening in its wall near the valve seat proper and an opening in its wall adjacent its end farthest from the valve seat proper, a removable closure in said last-named end of the tubular extension, a thermostatic bellows in said tubularextension seated on said closure and provided with a reduced tubular extension extending through the closure and the first-named ported portion of the' body, a valve to cooperate with said seat, a guide extending from the valve through the valve seat, adapted to cooperate with the bellows, said body having, aligned with the opening between the first and third chambers, an opening large enough for the passage of the valve seat and valve and bellows, a spring cage removably mounted on the body in said last-described opening, a spring in said spring cage for biasing said valve toward closing position, an adjusting screw in said spring cage for regulating the tension of said spring, a tubular member on said cage removably mounted to allow access to the adjusting screw, a valve for controlling fiow from the first to the second chamber sensitive to and opened by pressure in the first chamber, means for closing the opening between the second and third chambers having bleeder means for allowing limited flow from the third to the second chamber, and a diaphragm for closing said diaphragm receiving opening, operatively connected with the second valve and subject to pressure in the third cha'mbe said diaphragm being adapted to open said second valve upon predetermined pressure in said third chamber.

3. In a control of the kind described, a unit body having a ported portion for a single connection with a tank and a port for connection with a pipe and ,a chamber communicating with the ported. portion and a second chamber communicating with the second port, having a valve opening between the first chamber and second chamber, and having a third chamber with a valve opening communicating with the first chamber and with an opening into the second chamber and a diaphragm receiving opening, a valve seat removably mounted in the opening between the third and first chambers, formed with a tubular extension projecting into the first chamber having an opening in its wall near the valve seat proper and an opening in its wall adjacent its end farthest from the valve seat proper, a removable closure in said last-named end of the tubular extension, a thermostatic bellows in said tubular extension seated on said closure and provided with a reduced tubular extension extending through the closure and the first-named ported portion of the body, a valve to cooperate with said seat, a guide extending from the valve through the valve seat, adapted to cooperate with the bellows, said body having, aligned with the opening between the first and third chambers, an opening large enough for the passage of the valve seat and valve and bellows, a spring cage removably mounted on the body in said last-described opening, a spring in said spring cage for biasing said valve toward closing position, an adjusting screw in said spring cage for regulating the tension of said spring, a tubular member on said cage removably mounted to allow access to the adjusting screw, a stem on said valve extending through said spring, spring cage and tubular member, and a cam lever handle pivoted onsaid stem for manual adjustment to valve-opening position, a valve for controlling fiow from the first to the second chamber sensitive to and opened by pressure in the first chamber, means for closing the opening between the second and third chambers having bleeder means for allowing limited fiow from the third to the second chamber, and a diaphragm for closing said diaphragm receiving opening, operatively connected with the second valve and subject to pressure in the third chamber, said diaphragm being adapted to open said second valve upon predetermined pressure in said third chamber.

4. In a control of the kind described, a unit body having a ported portion for a single connection with a tank and a port for connection with a pipe and a chamber communicating with the ported portion, and a chamber communicating with the second port, having a valve opening between the first chamber and second chamber, and having a third chamber with a valve opening communicating, with the first chamber and with an opening into the second chamber and a diaphragm receiving opening, pilot valve for controlling fiow from the first to the third chamber, said pilot valve being sensitive to and opened by predetermined pressure in the first chamber, thermal means for opening said pilot valve on predetermined maximum temperature in said first chamber, a removable valve seat mounted in the opening between the first and second chambers, a second valve for cooperating with said removable seat, a diaphragm in the diaphragm opening, a diaphragm yoke supported on said body projecting through the diaphragm opening and closing the opening between the second and third chambers, and arranged to allow flow from the third chamber to the diaphragm, a lift rod valve stem removably connected to the diaphragm and removably connected to the second valve and loosely extended through the diaphragm yoke to allow bleeder passage from the third to the second chamber, a spring for biasing the diaphragm toward valve-closing position, a spring cage for said spring removably mounted on said body, an adjusting screw mounted on the spring cage for adjusting the tension on the spring, said diaphragm opening being of such size that upon removal of the spring cage, the diaphragm yoke and valve assembly may be removed therethrough and access had for manipulation or removal of the valve seat.

BURCHARD E. HORNE.

REFERENCES orrnn UNITED STATES PATENTS the Number Name Date 1,575,725 Stewart Mar. 9, 1926 1,927,036 Johnson Sept. 19, 1933 1,936,362 Kennedy Nov. 21, 1983 1,965,307 Darling July 3, 1934 1,987,032 Spence Jan. 8, .1935 2,003,828 Ey June 4, 1935 2,214,963 Jurs Sept. 17, 1940 2,223,115 McDermott Nov. 26, 1940 2,283,513 Smith May 19, 1942 2,308,165 Fields Jan. 12, 1943 2,351,190 Carlson June 13, 1944 2,389,437 Kmiecik Nov. 20, 1945' 2,408,708 Tweedle Oct. 1, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,435 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1873 

